TLC Finally Cancels ‘19 Kids and Counting’ Over Duggar Molestation Scandal
TLC surprised the general public in keeping 19 Kids and Counting under a low profile after news of Josh Duggar’s past molestation scandal, pulling the series off-air without canceling it outright. Now, the network confirms its exit from the 19 Kids and Counting Duggar family business, officially pulling the plug on the show at last.
The Associated Press first reported the news, bringing the series to an end after ten seasons of following Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their increasingly expansive brood. The controversy came to a head when 27-year old Josh Duggar was revealed to have molested five children, four of them his own sisters, over a decade earlier. No formal charges were ever filed.
Said Duggar, now married with three children, in his initial statement:
Twelve years ago, as a young teenager I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends. I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing, and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling.
I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life. I sought forgiveness from those I had wronged and asked Christ to forgive me and come into my life. I would do anything to go back to those teen years and take different actions. In my life today, I am so very thankful for God’s grace, mercy and redemption.
In addition to pulling 19 Kids and Counting from the air, TLC will team teamed with two notable child-protection organizations for an ongoing campaign raising awareness of child sexual abuse. The efforts will begin with an hourlong and commercial-free documentary airing sometime in late August.
Was TLC right to finally cancel its 19 Kids? What took so long to finally commit?